The Post October 2023

Off the Sheep's Back

Welcome to the October edition of The Post. This month, we focus on sheep and the benefits of wool. Organic-certified sheep and beef property Mt Cass Station features the Wiltshire breed, which is known for its self-shedding capabilities. The 3,800-hectare station also supplies their off-farm meat brand, WashCreek Organic Beef and Lamb, and dedicates 300 hectares to cropping.

Campaign for Wool New Zealand is a not-for-profit organisation that educates, promotes and advocates for the advancement of strong wool. We discuss their Wool in Schools initiative and digital partner portal.

Founded in 2020, Gisborne-based business Wisewool is going from strength to strength, advocating and supporting the strong wool industry by producing an assortment of woollen products. We visited Waihina Station, a 1,800-hectare sheep and beef farm, while they were shearing their ewes – one of 200 farms across the region that supplies to Wisewool.

Pukemiro Station in Dannevirke features a cadetship of two groups of three across two years. The cadets learn and thrive on a 930-hectare sheep and beef station, where they focus on a range of farming activities, including fencing, tractor driving and stock work. Pukemiro cadets and 2023 Fieldays Silver Staples winners, Quinn Steed and Renee Garrett, show us how to secure a solid fence post.

We take a look at the Rural Women New Zealand initiative that supports people in weather- affected areas across the North Island and recap the 2022 NZI Rural Women NZ Business Awards in anticipation for this year’s event.

Our State of the Industry article for this month focuses on sheep. We talk to key leaders and individuals within the industry as they share their thoughts and experiences.

We intend to continue supplying you with the best stories, activities and techniques in agriculture. If you have anything that you would like us to share, please get in touch.